August 28, 2026
Acts is an exciting book of the Bible, a bit of a bird’s eye view as the apostles struck out on their own after Jesus ascended. He had prepared them, shown them how to teach, pray and heal. He even told them to wait for the Helper who was coming to be with them. Thousands of believers received the Holy Spirit early in Acts, once the Helper appeared. In this book, the Apostles mature and gain confidence. When they spoke, miracles happened! Many churches teach the miracles of God have ended. But Scripture tells us God is the same yesterday, today and forever! Miracles are still available. If ever the world needed a touch of God’s love and mercy, it would be right now!
Reading Acts, we’re aware that following Jesus, talking about Jesus and living like Jesus can create a lot of trouble. The Apostles learned to watch their backs. Being in the army of God is not for sissies. Stoning is a dreadful death and I’m grateful it is no longer popular
The acts of healing the Apostles achieved should convict each of us that we can do all things through Christ. Paul appears in Acts. His conversion from jailing and killing Christians to becoming the Great Lion of God is an incredible story. His courage and persistence assuredly paid off. He would still be martyred but by that time his desire to be with Jesus was great and he knew he had accomplished all God had asked him to do. Not everyone achieves that honor.
Even through suffering and persecution, the apostles Jesus hand trained were incredible in their mission. Because they had walked with Jesus, talked with Him and walked the dusty roads with Him, they were able to find full joy in Him, no matter the circumstances. There is a feeling of surrender and trust that accompanies true relationship with God. When we can’t fix something in our lives, it is amazing to hand it over to God, to celebrate Him and find our joy as He finds the solution.
And once we ask Him, we should trust Him. If we pray for safe travel and then worry over every dangerous situation, our faith in God’s protection is not strong. Anxiety is a waste of time. Trusting God, thanking Him for all He has done already, convinces us of His good will, His many promises, and His desire to pour blessings out upon us. Faith in who He is, is much greater than our fears.
Lord, Help me mine deeper faith from my soul. If one has to dig for water and mine for minerals and precious gems, let me understand faith requires effort. The Apostles faced punishing deaths in many instances. They suffered. They were imprisoned. Ten of the twelve were martyred.
I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, Acts 22:4